Kane County Man To Be Named Illinois Veteran of the Month

Geneva - The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) recognized John Carr – a U.S. Army veteran, distinguished veteran leader, and the retired Supervisor for Kane County’s Veterans Assistance Commission – as the Illinois Veteran of the Month for January 2014 at a ceremony at in Geneva today.

“John Carr represents the longstanding commitment of Illinois communities to supporting our veterans and ensuring they and their families gain the benefits they earned through service,” said Erica Borggren, Army veteran and Director, IDVA. “His decades of impactful service to our veterans is well-known and respected across Illinois, and it is our privilege to recognize him for his work.”

Carr joined the Veterans Assistance Commission of Kane County as a hospital caseworker in September 1974, and was elected Superintendent in January 1977. He remained in that position until his retirement on February 28, 2013. An accredited representative with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through the National Association of County Service Officers, Carr was also President of the Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions from 1990 – 1993 and served on the Executive Committee. Carr conceived of, and was instrumental in the building of the Kane County Veteran Memorial that was dedicated on Veterans Day 2005.

The IDVA was represented at this event by Rodrigo Garcia, Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He presented the award on behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, which includes a framed proclamation as well as a State Flag. Local and regional elected officials and veteran leaders also attended the event.   

Born in Vincennes, IN, John Carr was raised in Mooseheart, IL and entered the Army on June 6, 1969.  After training at Fort Polk, LA, Carr was assigned to A Company, 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne (Infantry) Division, Camp Eagle, Republic of Vietnam. He was wounded on July 17, 1970, in an attack on Firebase Ripcord in the A Shau Valley and retired from the Army on October 1, 1972.

Carr’s military awards include the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart medal, the Air Medal, Army Commendation medal, the Good Conduct medal, the National Service medal, the Vietnam Service medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Civil Actions Honors medal, the Vietnam Campaign ribbon with 1960 Device, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Badge Rifle, Sharpshooter Badge Automatic Rifle, as well as awards and decorations from veterans’ organizations. He is a life member of The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veterans’ organizations.